Lovely little luxury

 I have often wondered why people bother to crochet facecloths.  Yes, they look lovely in the shops daintily tied around a handmade soap using a lavender stalk or whatnot, but why spend that much on natural cotton to crochet a square?  But birthdays were coming and I had some cotton so I thought I would have a little play. 
Oh, now I get it!  Stitching with cotton is such a pleasant feeling and just using one colour really shows off the definition of each stitch.  These worked up quickly whilst sitting at one of Hannah's little friend's birthday parties.  I must admit that I didn't dare use one for ages as I was worried that the cotton would stretch/stain/ fuzz up with use.  But they really are wonderful to use, wash beautifully and stay in shape.  Both my girls now have one as well with requests for new colours soon!  So here is my very simple pattern- there are so many out, I know- I hope my sisters also use and love theirs.

You will need: Natural Cotton (Rowan)
                     Size 4mm hook
                     Darning needle

Abbreviations: DC- Double crochet
                     Ch- Chain

1. Ch 34.  DC in 3rd chain from hook, DC in each stitch to the end.  Turn.
2. Ch 1, DC in first stitch, (Ch 1, skip 1, DC) repeat to the end of the row with a DC in last stitch. Turn.
3. (Ch 1skip 1, DC in next stitch) repeat to the end of the row with a DC in last stitch. Turn.
4. Repeat row 3 until you have a square. Turn.
5. Ch 1, DC in each stitch for the final row.
6. Add a DC in the corner and DC all around the edge, putting 2DC in each corner.  This will stop the fabric from stretching.
7. Weave in ends.

When Mummy takes requests!

 

So now I am building up a mini gallery of Pinterest related projects.  It's such a good way to find inspiration but also to find free patterns!  I came across these on a search for simple bands for Katie to wear on her first Communion and decided that they just had to be made straight away!  I've made crocheted hair bands before without much success as they do tend to slip off.  This clever trick of crocheting in a hair band really works to keep the tension.  I can also share the link for once! http://www.lanasdeana.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/baby-head-bands-tutorial.html .

 The danger with whipping up one quick hairband means that I end up having to do the same for Hannah and cousin Myf who was over at the time!  Now I will just have to make one for Emily too.  The other danger with taking requests is that you can't completely control the colour choices (yes, it's neon pink again) and I end up with a frantic request for clips and crocheted food.  This is always the case when you crochet for others- the little ones start building up a list of wants!  Check out my recent post on how to make these lovely clips.

How to make easy-peasy felt bow clips.

Did you read my late post about the Christmas Bazaar?  Well, I was given some red and green felt and Christmas fabric to make into stockings which I promptly asked, "Just stockings...." and started to list off all the Christmas felt goodies I could make.  So, I got carried away making fully lined, patchwork stockings and then decided that a felt paper chain wouldn't take that long really.  After cutting out all the strips, I got a phone call from from one of the organisers saying- in a nutshell- "that's nice dear but we were only going to charge £1 or £2 each.  I took a deep breath, reigned myself in and sat down trying to figure out what I could do with all these strips.  And so the felt bow clip was born. 

You will need:

Felt

metal hair clips

needle and thread

glue gun or really strong adhesive 

What to do:

1) Take standard felt rectangle and cut into strips about 1 inch wide.

2) Cut off about 1 inch from the end and save piece (this will wrap around the bow).

3) Bring the ends together and slightly overlap.

 

4) Hold in place and make a stitch through the three layers at one corner.

 

5) Do a couple of running stitches to the other side.

 

6) Pull the thread to gather, pinching with your fingers to hold the folds in place.

 

 

7) Run a few stitches through the centre folds to how felt in place.

 It's looking good so far!

 8) Take your tiny felt rectangle and cut to the desired width.  (I find that if this is too wide, it can be tricky to glue into place).

 

 9) Make sure your glue gun is nice and hot!  Place a small blob over the messy stitch, press on the end of the band and hold firmly as you tightly wrap the band around the bow.

 10) Another blob of glue to hold down the end and press for a few seconds until set.

 11) Finally, add a generous blob to a shiny clip and hold the bow in place until the glue sets- this really only takes a few seconds.

As I was making these for a Bazaar, I did all the prep and stitching first and then glue gunned the whole darn lot.  These seriously didn't take long to whip up and they ALL went within minutes!

Puppy Love.

Puppy Love

Has it really been over two months??  I have a lot to catch up on and share as craft has wheedled more of my spare time this year.  I love it!  After having to pull back when HB was a baby, I am starting to have the freedom to indulge in my hobbies during the DAYTIME!  Seriously- I love this not having to steal half hours in the evening to unwind.  Especially as the evenings are filled with marking and preparing for Class in the morning.  Any other Mummies out there will know of the serious lack of free moments when your children are tiny.  Even when playing, they still seem to need constant chatter and company! 

So, I had better start catch up.  The first one to grace my blog will be this lovely little collar and dog bed made to accompany a cute puppy.  My little nephew received this for his second birthday and, as usual, the adults politely smiled appreciation until my nephew proceeded to drag puppy around everywhere, putting him to bed and generally having a lovely play.  I would love to sound smug but in all honesty, he probably put it back down the second I left not to touch it again for months!  But it was a good response, especially from both my girls who tried to hide it before wrapping…

You will need:

• Hook size 3
• Key ring
• Clip (I bought for one pound at Post office as part of a keychain)
• DK Cotton in main colour and contrast colour

Abbreviation

SC= single crochet

SS= slip stitch

Collar Instructions

I love using DK cotton.  It works especially well for this to give you denser fabric (acrylic was just too stretchy)

1. In main colour Ch 3, SC into 2^nd chain from hook and SC to the end  (2SC).
2. Ch 1, 2SC across.
3. Repeat step 2 to desired length.
4. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing on.
5. Choose contrast colour and put two SC in each row space for a Granny Square effect. Continue this along both long edges (not corners).
6. Stitch in ends and use long tail to whipstitch collar ends together.

Lead Instructions

1. Repeat collar instructions for the lead.  Leave enough in length to fold over for the handle and a small fold over to whipstitch your clip on!

So, a simple pattern but very sweet.  I designed a Puppy bed as well that I will add as soon as I can find the pattern.  

  

Baptism Bunny!

It's "Baptism Bunny"!  Sounds almost Superhero, doesn't it.  Like those new age catholics who try a bit too hard to make Church "cool".  But isn't she a peach!  I love that my little design took wings and inspired some more simple designs.  Simple because, like most crafters, I class myself still as a learner.  This is less to do with false modesty than an ongoing desire to learn, improve and create.  It really is the most addictive pleasure, being able to create without a book and a pattern!  Best of all is to become one of those teachers who share easy patterns to the learners out there.  So, I hope you enjoy these really easy little extras for your bunny. x

You will need:

-Any odds and ends of wool (acrylic is a good washable choice for baby drool)

White, yellow, red and black DK cotton for candle

-Size 2.5, 3.00 and 3.5 hook 

Instructions:

Shawl (almost a granny!)

1.       Ch 4 and SS.

2.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2tr in ring, ch 2,

3.       (3tr, ch 2) repeat until you have 4 sets as in a granny square.  SS to top of first chain.

4.       SS along to next ch space, ch 2, 2tr, ch 2, 3tr in same corner space.

5.       Ch 2, 3tr, ch 2, 3tr all the way around.

6.       SS to the top of the ch 3.

7.       Repeat row 6.

8.       SS to next chain space.  Repeat as above but with ch 1 between each set of trebles.

Candle- I used DK cotton for stiffness and a size 2.5 hook

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in sc ch- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, 2sc in each stitch- 12 stitches.

3.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you all the way around, ss into first stitch and ch 1.

4.       Sc in a spiral to desired length.

5.       SS, fasten off and stuff firmly.

6.       Make a separate circle to top the candle (step 1 and 2). 

7.       Fasten off leaving a long tail and stitch on.

Flame

1.       Ch 2, 6sc in second chain from hook- 6 stitches.

2.       Ch 1, sc in loop closest to you- 6 stitches.

3.       Continue up 2 rounds.

4.       Sc dec until final stitch, knot tail at the point of the flame and stitch on with black thread for wick.

Dress- Use a size 3 hook for this one

1.       Ch 23 and ss into a loop.

2.       Sc all the way around and join with a ss.

3.       Ch 1 and sc all the way around 3 more rows.

4.       (Sc inc, 11sc, sc inc) x2 and ss at the start- 25 stitches

5.       Ch 1, sc all around and ss.

6.       Ch 3 (counts as first tr), Tr all around and ss into first stitch.

7.       (Ch 2, miss 1 stitch, sc in the next stitch) all around to make a scallop edge.

8.       SS into first ch 2 space.  Ch 3 and 2tr into first space.

9.       Ch 2 into next space, putting 3tr into each chain space.  SS final ch 2 into first stitch.

10.   Ch 1 and sc all around, ( just pop 1sc into each ch 2 space), and ss into first.

11.   Repeat sc all around.

12.   Ch 3 and tr all around. SS into first.

13.   Now for final scallop edge!  Ch3, miss a stich and sc into the next stitch all the way around.

14.   Straps- Press dress flat so that the increases sit at each side.  Attach wool for first strap, ch 1, 2sc across into top of bodice, turn, ch 1, 2sc across.  Repeat this to desired length (approx. 11 rows) and fasten off.  Repeat for second strap and whipstitch into place.

Tiny flower

1. Ch 4 and ss into ring.
2. 6sc around and ss into first stitch.
3. Ch 3 and ss into stitch.
4. Repeat step three all around and slip stich to the first.
5. Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching onto the dress.

Please have a go and keep an eye out for more Bunny Fun (I don't think I'm going to be able to stop!)

Clip-a-dee-doo-dah Clips!

Last month I did a little post about Attic24's beautiful blog and how I have been inspired by her colour and creativity.  Well, the other day, I managed to send off a few Granny triangles for her Yarndale bunting project
(see http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2013/07/yarndale-update.html). 
I forgot to take a pic but remembered to pop on pictures of my completed clips as they came from tiny bright circles I saw on her blog the other month.  These were a gift to my school fete and it was so lovely to see some of my girls wandering around wearing these!  I knocked up a few flowers as well and used just a bit of craft paper to hold them but I think they came out pretty good.  So, thank you Lucy for your inspirational blog and I will try to knock out a few more triangles before August! x

How to make the clips

You will need:

Any scraps of wool work great but DK cotton looked the best.

3.5 hook

clips

Circles

1. Ch 4 and ss into a ring.
2. Ch 2 and do 8dc around the ring.  SS and fasten off.
3. Attatch contrast colour, Ch 2 and do 2dc into each stitch- 16 stitches.  Fasten off.

Flowers

1. Ch 4 and ss into a ring.
2. Ch 2 and do 9dc around the ring and ss into first stitch.
3. Ch 5, skip one dc and ss into next dc.
4. Repeat step 3 around the flower to make 5 petals and ss into the base for final one.

Before I go, I thought I better add on a few other clip related pictures!  Yes, I have a lot of catch- up posts to do. (I'm even writing posts and holding off posting- July is going to look good on the post count!)

I'm sorry these are a bit fuzzy, they were a quick snap that I forgot to check.  Iphones are great but tricky to get the light right and mine is such an old phone now.  I saw a few die cast roses that twisted up easily and thought I would have a go myself.  The rose worked very well, I thought.  I added an extra felt circle on the back of the clip to disguise the use of a glue gun which also helped the clip stay fast in baby hair as it was for my little niece.  I tried a quick "Hello Kitty" bow on request by my baby but it turned out a bit pants- that's what you get when you rush...

1- Cut a flower shape with decreasing size petals swirling into the centre.

2- Roll around tightly.

3- Pop a few stitches through the base and up through the centre to hold. 

4- Cut a matching small circle for the back of the clip.

5- Attach using a glue gun.

By the way, the gorgeous blue flower came from a free brooch idea from "Mollie Makes".  These are folded flowers stitched onto a circle base.  It's so pretty that I've used it for several brooches as well. 

Finally, I come to another little thrifty project- It really is getting a bit silly now.  Take one unravelled school hairband.  Wind on a favourite ribbon tightly and fix with a glue spot or superglue.  Stitch a quick embelishment from the odds and ends jar and have it ready just in time for a birthday party!  Big Madam was so pleased.  You do have to alternate between crafts for others and crafts for kids or else they get a bit grumpy for all the nice things leaving the house!

  



Beautiful and Easy Bunny- Either very late for Easter or just REALLY early!

Oh, this bunny is so late!  In fact, he's so late that he should be a white rabbit with a pocket watch... I made him for my baby nieces first birthday.  I had started by making her a rainbow poncho and decided that a little cuddle bunny was needed to finish it off.  Of course, the bunny was so cute that I felt a mini poncho was in order and he's so sweeeet!

I did the usual quick flick through books and free ravelry patterns but couldn't find a really simple and quick bunny so I took a breath and had a go on my own.  I have been holding off posting this as I wanted to use the pattern to check for blips.  The perfect excuse came for my neighbour's baby Baptism.  I just couldn't resist making a follow up"Baptism Bunny" along with candle, shawl and little white dress.  I will add another pattern page for the lovely extras another day.  But, for now, TA DA- here is my first attempt at a crochet pattern.  I offer it up to the www as a gift for all the freeby patterns I have enjoyed as a crafty.  Let me know if anyone uses it- I've already thought of loads of adaptations and outfits for mine...!

You will need:

Any odds and ends of wool (acrylic is a good washable choice for baby drool)

size 3.5 hook ( I used a size 3 hook but I stitch big )

Instructions:

Legs (make 2)

1.      Ch 2, 6sc in 2^nd chain.

2.      Continue in a spiral with 2sc in same stitch followed by 1sc. Repeat all round-9 stitches.

3.      Continue in spiral with 2sc in same stitch followed by 2sc. Repeat all round-12 stitches.

4.      12sc, then continue spiral to reach desired leg length (mine were approx. 8.5cm) and fasten off leaving a long tail.

5.      Make leg two but don’t fasten off.  Join with a sc and sc all around to join the two legs (start of the body). 

6.      Stuff legs now and use long tail to close the small gap between the legs.

Body

1.      Continue sc for body up until the point where you decrease for the shoulders (about 4cm).

2.      Smooth flat and aim to put decreases in the side corners.  2dec and 2dec (4 stitches into 2), 8sc and repeat -20 stitches.

3.      Sc all the way around once.

4.      2dec, 8sc and repeat- 18 stitches.

5.      Sc all the way around once.

6.      (2dec,1sc) repeat all the way around- 12 stitches.

7.      Stuff body- Push a little extra at the front for a tummy, but not right to the top of the legs.  This will help your bunny sit!

Neck

1.      Sc all around once and fasten off- 12 stitches.

Head

1.      Ch 2, 8sc in 2^nd chain- 8 stitches.

2.      2sc in each stitch- 16 stitches.

3.      2sc followed by 2inc and repeat all the way around- 22 stitches.

4.      Sc all around for 4 rounds- 22 stitches.

5.      4sc, 2dec and repeat 3 times.  4sc to end the round- 18 stitches.

6.      3sc, 2dec and repeat 3 times. 3sc to end the round-15 stitches.

7.      2sc, 2dec and repeat 3 times. 1sc to end the round-11 stitches.

8.      Stuff the head.

9.      Sc all around- 11 stitches.

10.  2dec 5 times- 6 stitches.

11.  2dec 3 times and fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

1.      Start as legs with Ch 2, 6sc in 2^nd chain.

2.      Continue in a spiral with 2sc in same stitch followed by 1sc. Repeat all round-9 stitches.

3.      Continue in spiral with 2sc in same stitch followed by 2sc. Repeat all round-12 stitches.

4.      12sc, then continue spiral 2 to 3 times for the hands- 12 stitches.

5.      2dec, 4sc, 2dec, 4sc- 10 stitches

6.      Continue sc around to your desired length (mine were approx. 8cm).

7.      Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching on.

8.      Stuff, leaving a “pinching” space at the top of each arm to stitch on.  This makes a nice shoulder shape.

Ears (make 2)

1.      Ch 3, sc in 2^nd and 3^rd chain. Turn.

2.      Ch 1, 2sc in both stitches- 4 stitches.

3.      Ch 1, 2sc in first stitch, 2sc, 2sc in last stitch- 6 stitches.

4.      Ch 1, sc to end.

5.      Repeat 5 rounds of sc.

6.      Ch 1, 2dec in first stitch, sc along and 2dec in last stitch- 3 stitches.

7.      Ch 1, sc to the end. Repeat 3 times.

8.      2dec over last 2 stitches.

9.      Ch 1 and sc around the edge, adding 3sc in the tip of the ear.

10.  Sl st to the top edge and fasten off.

11.  Leave a long tail to sew ears on.

Tips for stitching up

Head-Sew head on before arms to avoid a hunching Bunny!  Use whipstitch to attach.

Arms- Pinch the top and whipstitch shut.  Pull slightly to gather the arm and stitch above and below to add strength to the join.